Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Mumbai: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his side’s ability to remain focused in their 4-0 AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ win against the Philippines on Monday.

Fresh from piling on 18 unanswered goals against Indonesia, the Matildas were kept at bay for 50 minutes by a spirited Philippines defence before their class ultimately produced a flurry of goals after half-time.

The result put Australia in the quarter-finals, with a draw or better against Thailand to confirm them as group winners on Thursday, while the Philippines are also likely to reach the knockout stage if they can defeat Indonesia. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/video/wac2022_-_group_b_|_philippines_0_-_4_australia.html

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Mumbai: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic heaped praise on his players after they were gallant in defeat against AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ title chasers Australia on Monday. 

The final score line at Mumbai Football Arena read: Australia 4 Philippines 0, but that went only part of the way towards telling the story of what transpired in the first meeting between the two sides since 2008. 

Group B: Second half blitz powers Australia past Philippines

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Group B: Second half blitz powers Australia past Philippines

Mumbai: Australia marched into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over the Philippines at Mumbai Football Arena on Monday.

The Matildas took 51 minutes to break the deadlock against the side 53 places below them in the world rankings, but ultimately cruised to victory thanks to goals from Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond and Mary Fowler as well as an own goal from Dominqiue Randle.

With a maximum six points after two matches, Australia are assured of a top-two finish in Group B while the Philippines are also well placed to advance despite their defeat, thanks to their earlier win against Thailand.

Group B: Chetthabutr stars as Thailand see off Indonesia’s challenge

Wed, 26 Jan, 2022

Group B: Chetthabutr stars as Thailand see off Indonesia’s challenge

Navi Mumbai: Thailand bounced back from their opening day defeat to secure a 4-0 win over Indonesia in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Monday.

Kanyanat Chetthabutr starred with a hat-trick as Thailand revived their hopes after having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Philippines in their opener. 

Thailand, however, face a daunting task as up next are group leaders Australia while Indonesia’s knockout stage hopes have been dashed by Monday's defeat, having lost 18-0 to the Matildas in their tournament opener.

Group C: Japan cruise into quarter-finals with win over Vietnam

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Group C: Japan cruise into quarter-finals with win over Vietnam

Pune: Defending champions Japan booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in a Group C tie at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Monday.

The win took Japan to six points from two matches and they, together with Korea Republic - who defeated Myanmar 2-0 earlier on Monday - are assured of a top two finish.

The two East Asian rivals will meet on Thursday to decide top spot while Vietnam will aim to defeat Myanmar in order to stand a chance of claiming one of the two best third-placed slots into the knockout stage.

Group C: Korea Republic beat Myanmar to book knockout stage ticket

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Group C: Korea Republic beat Myanmar to book knockout stage ticket

Pune: Korea Republic sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Monday as Colin Bell’s side eked out a 2-0 win over a resolute Myanmar side in Group C at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.

Lee Geum-min opened the scoring four minutes into the second half and Ji So-yun, the game’s Most Valuable Player, played a major part in the second - an own goal - seven minutes from time, with the Koreans place in the quarter-finals confirmed after  Japan defeated Vietnam 3-0 in Monday’s late game.

Korea Republic will play Japan on Thursday to decide the top spot while Myanmar will have to defeat Vietnam to keep their hopes of advancing as one of the two best third-placed teams alive.

My best is yet to come, says birthday girl Wang

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

My best is yet to come, says birthday girl Wang

Mumbai: Wang Shuang enjoyed the happiest of 27th birthdays with a Player of the Match performance against Islamic Republic of Iran at AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Sunday, but the China PR star insists she is yet to reach her prime as a player.

The creative forward was a standout at Mumbai Football Arena, opening the scoring with a precise 20-yard strike before adding a second from the penalty spot as the Steel Roses charged into the knockout stage with a 7-0 win.

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group A stands

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign has reached the business end of proceedings as the sides get set for their crucial Matchday Seven and Eight encounters in the week ahead. 

In Group A, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic are way out in front and could guarantee their progression to the FIFA World Cup with several games to spare. Below them, the four sides look set to battle it out for third place. 

With the upcoming games to be held on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at the state of play ahead of what is sure to be a crunch set of double-headers. 

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Mon, 24 Jan, 2022

AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar: How Group B stands

Kuala Lumpur: Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar campaign looks set to go down to the wire as three teams appear likely to fight it out for the two automatic places at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

Saudi Arabia have a commanding lead with Japan and Australia aiming to push them all the way, while Oman and China PR haven’t given up hope of a third-place finish. 

Ahead of the Matchday Seven and Eight encounters on January 27 and February 1, the-AFC.com looks at how things stand with four games remaining.